I hope that this project stays on track and further adds to the development of the I-80/I-29 corridor. I think this is important to visitors who are traveling through the metro. Along with the new Kenefick Park onlooking I-80 this development will add the visual entertainment of drivers and visitors.
From the Daily Nonpareil:
If things continue to flow smoothly, construction of the new Bass Pro Shops in Council Bluffs should start next month, company officials said Tuesday night.
The officials announced plans to build a 133,000-square-foot, two-level retail facility south of the Mid-America Center and west of Bluffs Run Casino.
The plans were unanimously approved by the Council Bluffs Planning Commission and now go to the City Council for review and approval.
A restaurant is also proposed, along with a two-acre lake by the southeast corner of the building with extensive space for boat display along the north and west side of the building. The lake might be 8 to 10 feet deep to allow fish to live there, the officials said.
The main entrance to the store would face the Mid-America Center, and parking for 700-plus cars would be on the west side.
The store could open next September, the officials said, and about 300 jobs would be created.
Bass Pro Shops is a nationally-known store offering an extensive selection of equipment, accessories and clothing for outdoor recreational activities, including camping, hunting, fishing, boating, archery and more.
An estimated 2.5 million people would visit the Council Bluffs store annually, the officials said. This averages out to about 3,000 to 4,000 customers per day during the week and 12,000 to 14,000 per day on weekends.
Their other stores attract 63 million people annually. Bass Pro's store in Springfield, Mo., is considered that state's top tourist attraction
"This is a tremendous asset to the community," said Barry Cleaveland, commission chairman. "It's a destination retailer, meaning people will travel here to shop here. Things are looking great for Council Bluffs."
The commission still has to approve landscaping plans.
